Polly and Matt win the prize!

finally, a pic of the very first IV I hung...yep, a cigar ornament!

The days just keep getting better! Dad did great during his swallow test today and has been feasting on ice chips all day. I tried to get someone to agree to popsicles, but to no avail. Although it is unlike me to actually follow the rules all the time, I thought it best to keep the galley contraband items away for a day or two.

But the best news...Dad was off the ventilator for the entire day. He still has the trach in but the vent is on "standby." Yippee! The respiratory therapist was able to manipulate the tubes in such a way that Dad could talk...he told Mom "I love you." From a medical standpoint, all his numbers and system functions are good. The physical therapists were able to get more aggressive with his therapy and range of motion and even had him sitting on the edge of the bed today (with support.) He still does not have movement or feelings below his chest or in his hands but we know that nothing is impossible.

Kudos to Pat and Molly for taking things literally. They brought all the items Dad asked for last night...even down to authentic vaseline and not a generic brand! We know that Dad realizes how much he is loved by so many people.

Mom and I are getting pretty comfy here...thought I would take a cue from David Letterman so here is the

Top 10? 12? 14? who cares! (yep, i got carried away) Ways You Know You Have Been at the Hospital For Awhile

16. You know where the "call cancel" button is so when you accidently pull the "help cord" while getting into the shower, the nurses don't come in.

15. You have flipped the mattress on the cot.

14. You are wearing the hospital gowns as PJ's (hey, they are Karen Nueburger!)

13. You did your Christmas shopping at the gift shop (60% off...what a deal!)

12. Most of the nurses are now your Facebook friends.

11. You stop trying to type in the number of the TV channel on the remote because you now remember that you only have up and down arrows and have to go all the way around the stations before finding what you want.

10. The folks at Starbucks now consider you a regular and have your cup marked with your latte of choice before you are finished saying hello.

9. It takes longer to say hello to the Starbucks folks because we now know them by name. "Hi Mary. Hi Jeffery."

9. You are now looking on-line for the awesome mop the housekeepers use (Yes, we know it is Rubbermaid. We asked our housekeeper friends.)

8. Rosa, the cashier in the cafeteria, knows your credit card number, including that 3 digit secret code on the back.

7. Some of the docs, those not in the know, are jealous of Dr. Rosenfeld's work ethic. After all, his car has not moved in 2 week.

6. You are now an official member of the "RedBox" movie rental box at McDonald's.

5. You have spent so much time on the maternity floor you start lactating.

4. Tim from Level A Salon gave you your last haircut.

3. Your hair looked rockin' after that haircut because you forgot and used your Olay facial moisturizer as mousse.

2. You hold the cup under the word "ice" instead of the actual spot the ice comes out.

1. You realize you are missing a pair of undies, only to have your mom say that she is wearing them. And for those of you who know Mom and me, I asked her if she had both legs through the same hole...good thing it wasn't the other way around or I would have a wedgie for the next 3 months!

love to y'all!

suz